[Patients with liver transplantation: their experience in the intensive care unit. Phenomenological study]

Nurses' knowledge of patients' experiences undoubtedly contributes to a greater understanding of the health process and provides a better basis for nursing acts. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of patients with liver transplantation in the intensive care unit (ICU). The design of this qualitative study was phenomenological and descriptive. The study was performed in a sample of 10 patients who were interviewed in detail. A tape recording was made of the interview. The recordings were transcribed verbatim and were analyzed using the method of Giorgi (1985), modified by Baker in 1994. The data were analyzed and a general description was made, which included five aspects reflecting the essence of the patients' experiences: the patients arrived at the hospital with certain attitudes and beliefs; certain impressions of the atmosphere in the ICU and sensations experienced were notable; the patients experienced that they were receiving scientific and humanistic "care"; they found support in the social environment (family) and in religious beliefs, and their preconceived idea af the ICU contrasted with their experience. This study provides detailed information of the experiences of patients with liver transplantation in the ICU. The results can be used to optimize certain acts included in these patients' nursing care plans.